The Chichibu Kegon Falls is a popular spot with professional and amateur photographers in Autumn. This is because the waterfall is framed by maple leaves. Around mid November the leaves change to tones of orange and red.
Chichibu Kegon Falls
Recognize the name Kegon Falls? There is a very famous waterfall in Nikko, Tochigi, called Kegon Falls. This waterfall in the Minano area of Chichibu is named after it as reportedly it bears a resemblance. The fall is approximately twelve meters long and it flows over a (geological) mélange of the Chichibu chert.
Light up
Each year in Autumn, usually mid November, the falls are lit up at night. This year, 2022, that will be from Saturday November 12th to Sunday November 20th, from 5 pm to 8 pm. In addition they will have special events on the weekend of the 19th. On Saturday the 19th you can witness an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Minano when the Kagura of Hinozawa Grand Shrine is performed at the falls. There is also a traditional gaguku musical performance at the falls on the 20th. Both of these special performances start from 4 pm.
Make a weekend of it?
Chichibu Kegon Falls are about a 15 minute drive from Water Park Nagatoro, which is actually also in Minano not Nagatoro! Water Park Nagatoro has camping and cabins for hire all year round. Nagatoro is actually only about a 20 minute drive from the falls. Right now, there is also an Autumn leaf festival in Nagatoro. Furthermore, there is light up in select locations in Nagatoro too. In addition, you can also currently take a sunset ropeway. Moreover, November is the best month to take the Line Kudari boat ride through the Nagatoro valley.
Information
Chichibu Kegon Falls Light up 秩父華厳の滝ライトアップ
Dates: Saturday November 12th to Sunday November 20th.
Time: from 5 pm to 8 pm.
Location: Chichibu Kegon Falls, 秩父華厳の滝 Shimohinozawa, Minano, Chichibu District, Saitama 369-1625. View on Google Maps.
Access
You can get a bus from the Chichibu Railway Minano Station, bound for Nishiatsuzawa. Alight at Chichibu Kegon-mae 秩父華厳前. The falls are about a five minute walk from the bus stop. If you come by car, there is free parking close to the falls, along route 284 by Hinosawa River. There are public toilets in the parking lot.